Ungombo Tribe

A vast nation of Olorians that have a deeply rooted history in the Qǐyuán Jungle. They are often seen as a peaceful nation that is often called up to settle disputes among other nations due to their trust that Ungombians will find the best solution for all parties. Their capital, Zūnjìng, is built among the branches of the Elder Tree of the jungle, the oldest tree in the entire area.

History
3000~ BS: The First Tribe

The First Tribe was a stone age tribal society that was based in the canopies of the Qǐyuán Jungle, their place of origin. It is said that they were blessed by the spirits of the forest and due to their love and kindness they gave the Olorians knowledge and a sense of curiosity unlike any other. One among them, Mungomba the Glorious One, led them out of the darkness of their own lives and gave them unity and purpose. He rallied all of them together under one banner and built a society where they prospered.

Decades pass under a golden age for the Olorians. Their squabbling tribal societies became a massive singular chiefdom within several years, providing themselves with agriculture, tool making, and safety within the canopies yet they still remain within the stone age. Wars had stopped completely, but this did not stop infighting even within Mungomba the Glorious One’s own family. He had three sons during his reign as chief, Ungombo, Onora, and Akombo. Despite their good upbringing where they were well loved and wanted for nothing, they fought among themselves for power and wealth. Ungombo believed that the spirits should be honored above all else, and none should be above them for they are what gave them this new life. Onora believed that peace has made them all weak, and they should begin aggressive expansions into the jungle and even the ground where the predators live so they can become excellent hunters. Akombo agreed with Onora and Ungombo, however in his own way. He thought the spirits should be honored, but only as equals and that expansion is necessary but not with the point of speartip. Each having their own agenda, and each believing they should be the next ruler of the chiefdom, they fought day in and day out with no clear winners.

2912 BS: The War of the Three Sons

It was not until Mungomba the Glorious One passed away of old age that the minor squabbling turned into threats and all out war. With many backing each son as the rightful ruler, civil war broke out and peace had finally ended among the Olorians. This is known as the War of the Three Sons, and each son led their tribes into battle warring over the land and right to rule all of Olorians. After several long and bloody years, Onora and Akombo left with their tribes to settle in nearby lands. Ungombo stayed with his tribe in the trees where his father lived and the spirits dwelled. He felt a closeness with them and wished to remain in their ancestral homeland in order to build a strong relationship with the spirits. Onora and his tribe climbed down the trees and into the hills in the Clearing of Huāhuì (Many Flowers), where they built a strong earthen fort and hunted the game of the jungle floor. Onora began to spread rumors about Ungombo and his love for the spirits, stating that he will give up any Olorian just to speak with one of them. This swayed some of Ungombo’s tribe, seeing that he spent most of his time in mediation trying to communicate with the spirits, and some even joined Onora’s tribe giving him even greater power among the Olorians. Akombo left however. After seeing so much bloodshed and hate to last him a lifetime, he and his tribe traveled up the Shèngshuǐ River, thought to be the river of all life in the world. He believed that if they travelled to the source and witness the Great Jǐshuǐ Elephant, the Water Bringer, he would be able to finally convince them all that he was worthy of rulership without any blood needing to be shed. When he reached the Xīwàng Canyons, his ideology was torn asunder by the splitting rivers and the vast open world set before him. The jungle was all that the Olorians knew, and seeing that the world was not one massive jungle that was taught to him shattered his own beliefs. Sullenly and broken, he settled in the cliffs of the canyon with his tribe, where they lived free beyond any restraints and convictions that their religion brought.

2881 BS: The Ungobism Religion is Born

It was not until late into Ungombo’s life that he finally was able to speak with the spirits that gave his father and his entire race a new way to live in this world. They spoke for years upon years, teaching Ungombo how to live harmoniously with the spiritual energy of the world. This gave way to a new type of religion based upon these teachings, following Ungombo steps in his path to spiritual enlightenment and living among the spirits of the wilds. This symbiotic relationship soon spread like wildfire among the Olorians, seeing now with proof that spirits are willing to speak with us if we only take the time to listen and be patient with them. Ungobism was born, the teachings of the eldest son fell on deaf ears to those in Onora’s tribe, however with time soon they couldn't even reject the evidence that laid before them. The religious strife and upheaval over the past decade had settled, and common ground among the two tribes was finally met. A few years after the creation of his own teachings, Ungombo disappeared and was never seen again. Some claim he wandered into the world seeking the great spirits of the wilds. Others claim he finally became a great spirit himself, and some even began to worship him as one. Onora never accepted this way of life, and passed away bitter and cold toward the world and his place in it.

1563 BS: The Jiānhùrén

Due to the propaganda that was built by the conniving Onora Tribe, doubt spread like wildfire among both the Onora Tribe and Ungombo Tribe about the right way of practicing their religion. Some believe that Ungombo has gone too far, and doesn’t even speak to his own wife anymore and stays only in the company of spirits. While others went even further stating that communication with the Great Spirits is heretical by nature because we are unworthy of their divinity. An extremist faction was born calling themselves the Jiānhùrén (Protectors of Divinity), and they sought the purification of all believers purging them of their sinful closeness with the spirits. The Jiānhùrén had a small army behind them and built a new settlement at the western forests edge of the Clearing of Huāhuì. The hunted and kidnapped those that were believed to be heretics and burned their purifying mark onto their skin and shaved and waxed their skin so they may never grow fur again. Unrest began among both tribes, and in the coming years a small war broke out where the allied tribes fought with the extremists and it ended with the fall of the Jiānhùrén. However this did not stop the religious upheaval that was happening among the Olorians.

824 AS: The First Creation of Spirit Wood

After 3000 years since Ungobism was born, the people of Ungombo became closer to the spirits of the wilds. They had strayed so far off the path of the spirits over the thousands of years that most had forgotten what they even were. The discovering of ancient texts dating back to Ungombo himself gave new life to the people and spirits once again. They soon gained the ability to imbue the spirits that they have a deep connection with into living objects such as plants and wood. This ability requires the consent of the spirit, for if not it would lead the spirit turning into a Fènnù, a malevolent spirit that seeks the death of the one who tried to force its imbuement. However, when one receives consent and the spirit is put into an object that it enjoys, this object becomes strengthened tenfold. Thus, the creation of Spirit Wood, or Língmù, and this spawned a technological boon. Houses, weapons, farms, and trees all became strengthened and their ability to provide more food, safer living arrangements, stronger weapons, and a better life in general gave way to a massive population increase among the tribe and required the construction of new settlements in order to live in the jungle symbiotically.